Vaccination Gaps Before School Entry Highlight Parental Oversight

A significant number of children in Vietnam are found to be missing crucial vaccine doses as they prepare to enter primary school, raising concerns among parents and health officials. Many guardians assume their children are fully protected after initial childhood vaccinations, but a closer examination reveals that many require overdue booster shots, increasing the risk of infectious diseases. For instance, Quyên from Thanh Hoa province was informed by a doctor that her 6-year-old daughter was deficient in booster shots for Japanese encephalitis, influenza, and the 4-in-1 vaccine (diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio) when she took her daughter for a dengue fever vaccination. The child had also not received vaccines for meningitis, chickenpox, and dengue fever. Similarly, Anh Tuấn, 41, from Dong Nai, discovered that his 6-year-old son had missed the recommended 4-in-1 booster dose for children aged 4-6 when bringing him in for a meningitis vaccine. Dr. Huỳnh Trần An Khương, a Medical Specialist at the VNVC Vaccination System, explained that children entering primary school face increased exposure to new peers. Close contact, shared items, and underdeveloped personal hygiene habits elevate the risk of contracting infectious diseases. Vietnam has seen outbreaks in schools, including a 2024 case in Nghe An where an 18-year-old student died from diphtheria, with close contacts also contracting the illness. Another case in Cao Bang involved an 11-year-old girl who died from diphtheria, leading to the isolation and preventive treatment of relatives and classmates. Dr. Khương emphasized that antibodies from certain vaccines wane over time, making booster shots essential for maintaining protection. However, many parents overlook these, believing their children have completed their vaccination schedules. For example, Vietnam's Jevax vaccine for Japanese encephalitis offers about 90-95% protection after the primary series but requires a booster every three years to sustain immunity. Missing these boosters significantly increases the risk of infection and severe complications. Consequently, Dr. Khương strongly advises parents to review their children's vaccination records before the new academic year and to ensure all missed or booster doses are administered according to guidelines. This practice is mandated by Vietnam's Law on Disease Prevention and Government Decree 165/2026/NĐ-CP. Currently, nearly 300 VNVC centers nationwide are assisting parents in checking vaccination histories and issuing certificates free of charge. Utilizing data from VNVC's system and the National Immunization Information Management System, doctors can identify missing vaccines and help parents complete their children's immunization schedules.